Thrilling school derby at stadium

The first game was Uplands playing Hoërskool Rob Ferreria with Penryn facing Hoërskool Bergvlam in the second.

Penryn vs Bergvlam
After a long dry summer, the rain came and Penryn’s rugby season started on a high note. This, however, posed challenges for both teams.

It was clear from the first movement that the team that was going to win the match would need to play close-in tight rugby. The playing surface and ball were very slippery which made life difficult for the backline.

Both teams adapted their game plans to this with the first-half controlled mostly by the forwards while the backlines took on a supporting role. The only try in the first-half was scored by Penryn after multiple forward drives when wing Manqoba Sibanyoni went over in the corner. The half-time score was 5-3 to Penryn.

“As the Penryn coach it is difficult to read too much into a match played in these conditions, but I am happy that we did not allow Bergvlam to score a try and our defensive lines are holding,” said head coach Graeme Stewart.

In the second half Bergvlam continually used their probing kicks to test the Penryn backs. This led to some inspiring runs from the Penryn fullback Ernest Mthethwa, but unfortunately the backs could not link up on these runs. As the teams got used to the conditions, they started to use the ball more and the backlines came into play. Bergvlam’s inside centre Tristan Lawrence carried the ball well for his team and was a handful on the field, but the Penryn defence held well and worked as a great unit. Penryn scored another two tries in the second half through the outside centre Wethu Shongwe and fly half Matt Constantinides. This was enough to secure a win as Bergvlam only added two penalties in the second half with the final score going 15-9 to Penryn.

Both teams’ defence was of top quality. “The conditions made it very difficult. We did well in the scrums especially with Penryn’s heavy pack of forwards. The game was rock hard. It was a great experience for us, mainly because it was the first time the boys played on the Steval Pumas home ground,” said coaches Pieter Wolmerans and Gerhard van der Walt.

Uplands vs Hoërskool Rob Ferreira
Although Uplands’ Hilton Thomson opened the score with a penalty kick in the 29th minute, Robbies eventually won the game in a close encounter 19-13.

Robbies’ Boeta Botha managed to score their first try with only 14 men on the field in the 24th minute with Paul Steenberg converting the try.

The first-half was an even contest, but it was Rob Ferreira that dominated with the ball in hand as well as territorial advantage. “Uplands failed to take four kickable penalties in the first-half and the loss of several vital attacking line outs that led to us relinquishing scoring opportunities.

Rob utilised the conditions better on the evening, controlling the breakdown and holding onto position which was ultimately the difference between the two sides,” said Jacques van Rensburg and Vince Gelderbloem head coaches of Uplands.

Uplands’ Hilton Thomson was the star player as he managed to kick three out of three penalty kicks and score a try in the 60th minute from a great pass from Tshiamo Phaahla.

Thomson’s last kick, was about 54 metres which he easily converted.

Robbies’ Victor Esquino picked up the ball nicely from the scrum to get the ball over the try line. The die for Uplands was cast when Milo Ferreira’s try in the 52nd minute.

“Thank you for everyone who was involved. Die games were played in great spirit and our boys enjoyed it very much. We are very happy with a great start to the season. We as Robbies would love to make this an annual event,” said rugby organiser Chris Louw.